Evaluation of the catalytic decomposition of H2O2 through use of organo-metallic complexes--a potential link to the luminol presumptive blood test

Hair testing for drugs of abuse is performed in Lombardy by eleven analytical laboratories accredited for forensic purposes, the most frequent purposes being driving license regranting and workplace drug testing. Individuals undergoing hair testing for these purposes can choose the laboratory in which the analyses have to be carried out. The aim of our study was to perform an interlaboratory exercise in order to verify the level of standardization of hair testing for drugs of abuse in these accredited laboratories; nine out of the eleven laboratories participated in this exercise. Sixteen hair strands coming from different subjects were longitudinally divided in 3-4 aliquots and distributed to participating laboratories, which were requested to apply their routine methods. All the participants analyzed opiates (morphine and 6-acetylmorphine) and cocainics (cocaine and benzoylecgonine) while only six analyzed methadone and amphetamines (amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, MDA and MDEA) and five Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The majority of the participants (seven labs) performed acidic hydrolysis to extract the drugs from the hair and analysis by GC-MS, while two labs used LC-MS/MS. Eight laboratories performed initial screening tests by Enzyme Multiplied Immunoassay Technique (EMIT), Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) or Cloned Enzyme Donor Immunoassay (CEDIA). Results demonstrated a good qualitative performance for all the participants, since no false positive results were reported by any of them. Quantitative data were quite scattered, but less in samples with low concentrations of analytes than in those with higher concentrations. Results from this first regional interlaboratory exercise show that, on the one hand, individuals undergoing hair testing would have obtained the same qualitative results in any of the nine laboratories. On the other hand, the scatter in quantitative results could cause some inequalities if any interpretation of the data is required.     

Is There Room for Optimism in China’s 2010 Exclusionary Rule and Its 2012 Revision?

The 2010 exclusionary rule in China and its 2012 revision has led to a spate of scholarly writings about the efficacy of the rule in the country. Divergent points have been expressed as to the viability of the rule. This paper weighs in the discussion and provides optimism for the rule’s application in China. Using a document textual analysis, the paper examines the current debate about the rule and concludes by advancing recommendations on how the rule can be better applied in the country. The authors of the paper caution against hasty decisions about the effectiveness of the law given that cultural practices and not the law itself may impede the effectiveness of the law.     

The Red Flag System as the Gatekeeper in Tender Fraud Prevention and Detection of Misrepresentation

South African media publications frequently report on procurement fraud committed in Africa and South Africa—a matter which has evolved into a significant issue. Procurement fraud is committed in all the phases of the procurement cycle, but in this research, it is revealed that the unlawful act occurs mostly during the bidding or tender phase. Procurement fraud is not seen as a crime by business and this illicit act is thus committed because of ignorance in respect of the misrepresentation of information, and the red flag indicators of these misrepresentations. This article analyses the kinds of misrepresentation that takes place during the tender phase and highlights the importance of red flags in detecting procurement fraud, especially during the tender phase of the cycle. The identification of red flags was studied in order to comprehend the role that such identification plays in detecting and preventing procurement fraud in the tender phase. We also highlight the scope of the misrepresentation of facts in committing procurement fraud. A proper exploration and understanding of red flag indicators for the detection of procurement fraud during the tender phase will be to the advantage of the criminal investigation fraternity as well as the private industry.     

Professional Minimalism? The Ethical Consciousness of Commercial Lawyers

This article investigates empirically, through semi‐structured interviews, what shapes the professional ethical consciousness of commercial lawyers. It considers in‐house and private practice lawyers side by side, interrogating the view that in‐house ethics are different and inferior to private practice to suggest as much similarity as difference. In both constituencies, and in very similar ways, professional ethical concepts are challenged by the pragmatic logics of business. We examine how their ethical logics are shaped by these pragmatic logics, suggesting how both groups of practitioners could sometimes be vulnerable to breaching the boundary between tenable zeal for the client and unethical or unlawful conduct. Although they conceive of themselves as ethical, the extent to which practitioners are well equipped, inclined and positively encouraged to work ethically within their own rules is open to question. As a result, we argue professional ethics exert minimal, superficial influence over a more self‐interested, commercially‐driven pragmatism.     

Last-ditch attempt to improve the EU patent system

The European Commission has proffered a compromise seeking torevitalize the ongoing debate on the patent system in Europeby enabling Member States to reach a consensus.